help needed to end tropical aquarium fish collection in hawaii

Increasing MPAs I agree with, completely stopping collection I do not, it will just increase pouching and illegal fishing. The same way you consider the aquarium industry a "disposable pet hobby" many people consider traveling thousands of miles to dive in exotic locations a needless hobby that leaves a huge carbon footprint, not to mention how much we spend in scuba and photo gear. Believe it or not, most people that have reef tanks do take care of their fish, and removing a yellow tang from the reef is not nearly as bad as removing a top predator like an Ulua.

Rocha - I mean no disrespect here - but isn't it true that without the collectors supplying the hobby and keeping the flow going from reef to wholesaler, public and for profit large aquariums around the world will have to pay more - much more - for their fish? At least the Waikiki aquarium curators have had the courage to admit this and the fear that banning the trade in Hawaii will have a domino effect and ultimately dry up your access to the fish you need to replace those that keep dying. You should consider doing what the Seattle Aquarium does - they come every couple of years and collect their own fish. And if anyone is paying attention, they'll note that life expectancy for this wildlife, even public aquariums staffed by experts, is nowhere near what their potential is. Consider the Yellow Tangs which are very long lived in the wild. Consider the seahorses bred and raised by Ocean Riders in Kona that live twice as long as their wild counterparts. I'm not saying that public aquariums don't provide some benefit and should be banned. I'm saying public aquariums and their curators should stop promoting the aquarium hobby. You don't see zoo curators promoting the wildlife under their care as suitable for home hobbyists - or protecting/promoting the trappers who supply this wildlife.

The aquarium trade in Hawaii has caused the species they take to decline by 50 - 90% on Oahu and Kona (despite the no-take areas). Monitored doesn't = managed. No limits on permits & no limits on take is not managed by any stretch of the imagination. Yellow tangs are down by 73% in Kona. Species once common, are now rarely encountered. Hawaii's people don't want their reefs and wildlife impacted for the aquarium hobby. Check out the recent Humane Society of the U.S. poll showing resident's views on using wildlife this way. An overwhelming majority of Hawaii residents want the aquarium trade banned and believe that ONLY captive bred fish should be kept in tanks - never wild caught. Please be respectful and stop defending and promoting the hobby.